The final countdown is on to the NSSA regatta 2024.
Listen to the event anthem produced by Nick Smith
Fleet list
Fleet Challenge B 2024
This weekend there is a four race series for all classes. The summer weather continues to be elusive, overcast with a light NNE breeze which varied in strength and direction throughout the afternoon.
Robbie D/Toggle in their F15 initially led the fleet in the first race, but spinnaker issues slowed them down, and Alistair/Oscar in a RS400 pulled ahead, winning on handicap, with Dave/Lynn 2nd. The wind faded as the tail enders of the fleet finished, then filled in as it swung to the E, so the start line was repositioned.
Nigel/Glenys had a perfect start, but it wasn’t to last. Within minutes a wind shadow around the eastern shore spread across the course slowing proceedings down considerably. To give the tail enders a chance to finish, the race was shortened at the 3rd mark after only 25 mins. Fortunately, the breeze returned 10 minutes later, and all boats had finished within 40 mins. Rory’s perseverence in his Tera earned him a 1st place, 3 secs ahead of Alistair/Oscar, with Dave/Lynn 3rd another 8 secs behind.
Sunday’s forecast wasn’t promising, but ripples filled the bay from the SE unexpectedly, just in time for the OD to prepare to get racing underway on time. The line was laid, and course set, then the wind disappeared again. Time for an early lunch!
An hour later, drizzle set in, and with no sign of any wind, racing was cancelled for the day, so the overall results were as Saturday evening with the trophy going to Alistair/Oscar, and Dave/Lynn 2nd.
Sunday Racing
Following Saturday’s open meeting, racing was back to normal on Sunday, with the final race in two long series. Weather was milder, and a few more sunny spells, though the W breeze started off slightly lighter than Saturday. After lunch the breeze freshened to create some better planing conditions.
No two boats in the handicap fleet were in the same class so it was difficult for sailors to gauge their performance. The only boat to capsize was a 29er helmed by James with dad John crewing. Robbie D/Toggle joined forces again in their F15, built up a good lead and won both races, with Rory in his Solo getting two 2nds. Paul in a ILCA 6, took the morning 3rd, while Mike/Jack in the Graduate were 3rd in the afternoon.
In the GPs, Val/Ken took an early lead in both races, but finished 2nd to Dave/Lynn. AJ/Sue were keen to continue their winning ways, but being over the line in the afternoon race didn’t help their cause!
Overall series results had Rory winning the Barf Trophy, with Phil/Rory 2nd, and Neil/Archie winning the Dodd Trophy, and Phil/Rory runners up.
AJ/Sue won the Spring Cup, with Val/Ken 2nd, while Dave/Lynn won the Mustard Pot, with Val/Ken 2nd.
Andrew won the MT Red Sail Trophy, while Alex/Saskia won the MT AB Trophy
Several club members took part in the Lord Birkett Trophy at Ullswater over the weekend with over 200 entrants.
Congratulations to club members Chris Pickles/Matt Sharman in a RS400 (3rd), Paul/Grace Allen in a 59er (7th), and Dave Exley/Joe Roberts in a RS400 (8th) on their outstanding performances, all fimnishing in the top 10!
Laser Lakeland and Border Grand Prix 2024
On Saturday there was a Laser one day, three race open. The WNW force 3 backed through the afternoon to WSW as it increased to force 4.
Visitor Tim Keighly from West Riding mastered the conditions winning all three races and the trophy. Despite the increasing winds, and hard work on the beats which resulted in a couple of capsizes, there was little opportunity for planing.
Local helm Dave Lawson finished 2nd overall with Andrew Hewett from St Mary’s Loch 3rd. Local youth category helm Archie Campbell and Cameron Somerville finished a creditable 4th and 5th respectively.
Where’s Summer Gone?
Saturday sailing was another couple of races towards the MJM trophy for all classes. Perhaps it was the overcast, cold weather that put sailors off, or was it just other sailing events that kept them away?
The F2-3 held all afternoon, and though the wind was shifting, some boats were banging the corners on the beat which resulted in a few position changes. Neil and son Archie were competing against each other in Laser Radials, perhaps more competition than Neil was expecting, as Archie beat him in the 2nd race! Mike/Jack in their Graduate, broke through to lead both races on the water, finishing 2nd and 3rd on handicap. Seemingly plenty of bickering between AJ and Sue as they passed the committee boat each lap, but it must have worked as they beat James/Jenny in both races, taking a 1st and 2nd on handicap.
AJ/Sue lead the series with Nigel/Glenys 2nd
Sunday was slightly milder, with less wind, but threatening rain showers from time to time.
Toggle was out in his Solo, soon took the lead and went on to win the race on handicap from Neil, then Archie, both in Laser Radials again. Dave/Lynn won the GPs, ahead of Val/Ken (who lead the series) and AJ/Sue.
The race after lunch was the Jimmy Lancaster Memorial trophy pennant, but the sailors were saved from having the typical round the lake course. This proved to be quite fortuitous as the wind eased soon after the start, and it seemed unrealistic to send them around for a second lap and the OD be home in time for the football! Shortly before Dave/Lynn crossed the finish line in 1st place, the wind started to fill in from the SW, not only speeding up the finishing sequence but causing a few tensions as different boats caught the wind and gained several places. Rounding the final leeward mark it was all to play for as five boats were less than three boats apart, and all searching for wind. Richard in his Solo aimed straight for the line, and it worked as he finished 2nd overall, with Toggle 3rd.
Next Saturday we will be hosting the Laser Lakeland and Border Grand Prix and RS Tera open meeting. 1st race scheduled for 12 Noon. Enter on Webcollect
Weekend Series
With the official start of summer, we could expect warmer weather, but it was not to be. After a sunny morning, the clouds moved in and the temperature dropped, but the westerly breeze held, then freshened towards the end of the afternoon.
The handicap fleet of 15 boats included a couple of GPs and a F15. The wind was strong enough for crews to sit out, but there were no capsizes. The occasional shifts enabled some position changes.
Dave/Lynn in their GP won both races on handicap, with Ian/Lezliann in a F15 and Phil/Rory in RS200 each having a 2nd and a 3rd.
Sunday brought wall to wall sunshine, with a similar WSW F2-3 throughout the day. As ever, there were some large swings in the wind direction, and occasional planing conditions. Andrew/Oscar in a 29er coped with several capsizes, but one was enough for Archie/Lily in a RS200, mainly because their boom had come adrift. Every day is a school day…
Dave/Lynn continued to master the conditions, winning all three races, and the Isel Cup overall. Phil/Rory secured a couple of 2nds, finishing 2nd overall, with Ian/Lezliann 3rd, on equal points with Alex/John in a RS400.
NW Junior Travellers Trophy 2024
The overnight rain returned for the afternoon racing. The light and variable winds resulted in a short postponement while the OD tried to determine the likely direction, as it wasn�t the same as the forecast, and swung through almost 90 degrees within minutes!
The 60 boats were split into three starts, and got away cleanly, though the beat soon moved to the second leg as the wind backed. Club sailors Matthew Somerville and Henry Bullen in RS200 won on handicap 15 secs ahead of Clayton Parker in a Lightning, with Oscar Manning and George Jacob�s equal third.
The course was reset for the next race, but the wind eased soon after the start such that the medium and slow handicap fleets had their course shortened at the end of the first lap. Unfortunately the wind continued to ease and various boats were caught out by the 30 minute time limit. Aleks Svietek in his Tera Sport won 14 secs ahead of Oscar Davenport in a Tera Pro, with Will Taylor 3rd.
The fleets went ashore for a break, and to warm up, and waited to see if the new southerly wind would settle.
Despite the continued rain flattening the water, the OD went out to check the wind which looked promising, and then asked the fleets to launch again. While setting the course, the wind faded yet again so racing was postponed for the day.
Matthew and Henry are overnight leaders with Oscar Manning 2nd
Sunday�s forecast was much more promising, and it delivered. It stayed dry, with spells of sunshine, the WSW wind direction was fairly consistent, and there was enough wind for planing conditions, as well as numerous capsizes to keep the rescue crews busy.
Three races were held back to back, and all starts were clear (Quite a feat for an open meeting!) Matthew and Henry from Bassenthwaite maintained their overnight lead to win overall, with Ava Harris Scott from Elton 2nd, and Henry Blades from Scaling Dam 3rd
Photo galleryPrize winners
Final results
Summer is here! No
Well meteorlogical started today, with lots of sunshine, but the wind was not the OD’s best friend. It was slow to fill in, when it did, it shifted wildly, faded, and came back in from another direction, then continued to back to the west throughout the afternoon racing.
Banter/Rory in their RS200 managed to break away from the rest of the fleet before the wind died early in the first race, so the race was very brief as there was a concern that the remaining boats could take an eternity to finish. In the handicap fleet, Banter won with the Solos of Stan and Hugh finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively. Oscar in his Tera won the slow handicap race, from Hannah/Zara in a Feva.
The next race looked promising, only for the wind to fade briefly at the start, then fill in, and swing so that there were no beats on the course! Not the conditions to do turns as Stan and Banter found to their cost. Rory won in his Solo, with Mike/Jack in a Graduate 2nd, and Hugh 3rd.
In the GPs, Val/Ken and James/Jenny each had a 1st and a 2nd.
Latest MT results
Sunday’s wind was just as challenging for the OD. The course was set to have two beats in slightly different directions, but the wind didn’t always play ball! Towards the end of the morning race the wind strengthened.
The wind held for the afternoon pursuit race held in the main bay, so there was much more sitting out required, with the occasional ducking (well for Chris in his 300 at least!)
Whit Bank Holiday 2024
Sunshine and a SE breeze tempted a fleet of 45 boats on to the water to compete for the Mark Ninnim memorial trophy.
Taking advantage of the wind direction a course was set to mark 7 at Scarness, so it was slightly worrying when the F2 eased shortly after the first start, but it returned, then faded again during the finishing sequence. On corrected time, Caroline/Dave Exley in a RS400 took the first win just 11 secs ahead of Dave/Lynn Lawson in their GP.
The next race had a shorter main beat to 8, and started in light airs, but filled in within a few minutes. On handicap Dave/Lynn beat Chris/Evie Pickles in a RS200 by 8 secs, winning the trophy, with Matt/Oliver Sharman in Laser 2000 2nd overall having secured two 3rds.
Mark Ninnim memorial overall results
The weekend series being held over Sunday and Monday will have a separate series for asymmetric boats using windward/leeward course .
On Sunday the weather was very similar to Saturday but with drizzle instead of any sunshine!
The wind dropped over the lunch break, and the forecast wasn’t looking promising for it to return, but it did (fortunately!). Despite there not being a lot of wind Caroline had the opportunity to practice righting her capsized boat!
At the end of the race there was a 120 degree shift to the west so the start line was relocated for a short, manageable, windward/leeward course for the third and final race of the day. As the wind did drop yet again, the short course proved to be a sensible option!
Monday was overcast but generally dry with a SW F3-4, the best wind of the weekend. The wind was as shifty as ever, and eased slightly towards the end of the morning race, but there were numerous opportunities for planing, and several boats capsized throughout the course of the day.
In the F15s, Andy Tunicliffe/Ian Hopwood won both races, with Robin Dawson/Mike Cowan runners up, but their results overall earned them the Scarness Cup, with Ian Campbell/Lezliann Pearson/Ian Preston 2nd overall.
The GPs did not race, so Val/Ken Bell won the Graham Cup, with AJ/Sue Watson 2nd.
Matt/Oliver Sharman and Mark Somerville/Neil Campbell each won a race in the asymmetric fleet, but it was Chris/Evie Pickles that won overall with three wins from Sunday, Matt/Oliver were 2nd.
Dave/Lynn Lawson sailed in the non asymmetric handicap fleet, and won the Wythop series with four wins. Guy Wheeler/Elaine Ross were on equal points with Andy Smith, but beat him on tie break.
Four wins for Phil/Lucy Smith won them the Reflection trophy, with Alex/Saskia Leonard 2nd.